I don't think the estate covers a lot of the woods, I expect they will use the eventing tracks from March or similar.

Looks like lots of options and zig-zaging up/down most inclines will knacker most...

It would be good if they did have course options this year similar to Olympic course, put some litigation obstacles in place, shorter quicker but gnarly, or perhaps a commemorative 2012 mud pit option.

Lots of wooded singletrack = complaints that racing will be bad
Lots of wide tracks = complaints of boring course
Always complaints that it won't be hilly enough
It's always in the wrong location
Course will be wrong
etc

I think we need to give Pat and the team the credit that they've done this a fair bit now, understand that there needs to be a balance and they are by far the best people to make sure the event ticks as many boxes as possible.

After last year it had to move otherwise too many people would have decided enough was enough and they seem to think Gatcombe has what it takes to make a decent venue.

Definitely potential for a great course if the juicy bits of the estate are used. I ride through it daily and know the area well. Plenty of open sections as per the eventing course. Contour long climbs possible as well as short very steep ones.
A lot of the tracks are high and have little topsoil, Cotswold limestone which grips nice in the dry and not bad on the wet. . Woods if used and its not dried out will be wet beech loam, hero dirt when it's nice, hard work otherwise. Links wise 25 mins from m4/m5. Rickie Cotter lives a stones throw from the course and its her training ground, there's your female solo winner!